Written By Various Authors
U – Underscores (Ryan Watson): Underscores returns with the most condensed version of their sound yet. While short, it’s packed with banger after banger and the energy doesn’t stop through the whole album. Although a lot of the songs are cool pop songs, she still goes on some cool detours with her sound. Bodyfeeling is probably my standout track as it’s the most different and adventurous song for her. Despite it being a pretty straightforward pop song, it was a big surprise on first listen and instantly became my favorite. Overall, underscores made a really fun, energetic, awesome pop album
WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA – Slayyyter (Owen Schlesinger): WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA is the type of music that makes you want to jump out of a window, but in the best way possible. Slayyyter manages to balance having some of the year’s hardest electronic beats while still making a pop album that won’t leave your head. All of the singles are great (especially CRANK), but the track that hit me the hardest was YES GODDDD. The first time I heard the drop in that song, my jaw was on the floor. Somehow, the sound doesn’t get grating over 14 songs, and I’d recommend this to anybody who likes loud noises and thinks “I Love It” is Charli XCX’s best song.
The Fencesitters – Picture Day (Noah Bass): Separating their work from other contemporary indie rock bands’ debut album, Picture Day is a breath of fresh air. Every chord progression is as unpredictable as possible, and lyrics some off as very genuine. Each song has their individual quirks, and a definite high point is the hilarious skit off “Flight Song,” melting seamlessly into the crescendo.
An undying love for a burning world – Neurosis (Cretin): For an album released in the big 2026 this project feels like it’s been around for 30 years. It’s been a decade since the last neurosis album, and it feels like they’re taking it back to the 90’s and combing that with the vocalist from ISIS I feel like I’m doing nothing but repeating myself. This album feels like an instant classic in the best way. Starting it off with the track we are torn wide open bring such an amazing tension to the very beginning of the album and mirror deep 100% delivers on that promise.
U – Underscores (Spenser Leise): Underscore returns as the coolest popstar of the year. This short, but punchy, track list is filled with an ungodly number of earworms that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head.
U – Underscores (Payton Lehman) Really good <3
ADL – Yeat (owen) – A very interesting creative outing from yeat, albeit too many mixed sounds and bloat to stick the landing.
U – Underdscores (JFitz) – After bursting onto the scene with two sprawling, genre-ambivalent concept albums, Underscores’ third record feels like a definite back-to-basics moment. However, what this album lacks in breadth or storytelling it makes up for in the level of pure energy and talent on display. Each track feels like a purposeful showcase of April’s skill and experience as a producer, as she surgically weaves melody, percussion, and ear candy around some of the most hypnotic basslines I’ve ever heard in pop music. For an album that takes explicit inspiration from malls, airports, and other sterile corporate spaces, U still manages to feel lived-in and personal within only 34 minutes.
Half Blood (Bloodluxe) – Slayr (Dzevad) I know the term is overused, but Slayr was in complete flow state for this whole deluxe. These new songs don’t miss a beat quality-wise, but he mixes in some more genre experiments like EDM on “Brain Fog” and rap metal on “Flashout Freestyle.” It’s perfect for your walk to your biology lecture or disassociating while playing Mario Kart!
